Chandigarh, Nov 22: — Days after issuing its new dog bylaws, the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation (MC) has mapped out about 200 locations across the city where community dogs may be fed occasionally, marking what officials described as a structured approach to public safety and animal care.
The sites, identified in all sectors, are positioned away from homes to prevent conflicts with residents, officials said. A notification seeking public feedback is expected shortly. “We will invite responses from citizens before finalising the list,” an MC official noted on Friday, adding that the plan originated after the Supreme Court’s November 7 direction mandating states and Union Territories to promptly remove stray dogs from sensitive premises such as schools, hospitals, stadiums, transport hubs and relocate them to authorised shelters following sterilisation and vaccination under the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023.
Municipal authorities stated the aim is to regulate feeding rather than discourage it. “These areas are meant to bring order and ensure safety,” an official said. Under the bylaws, each sector has been assigned a minimum of two and a maximum of six designated points, positioned away from children’s play areas, staircases, entry and exit gates, and high-traffic zones. As per data shared by officials, Sector 23 has the highest number with six locations, while the sparsely populated Sectors 2 and 5 have two each; sectors such as 7, 18, 19, 37 and 49 have five, and most others fall between three and four.
Once cleared by authorised officers and relevant stakeholders, the sites will not be open to further change, a senior civic official said. “Once approved, it shall be final and binding on all concerned,” the official said, stressing compliance.
Under the bylaws, feeding dogs outside these sites may attract legal consequences. The rules say that any individual who throws food in public areas other than those earmarked, leading to the congregation of stray dogs and creating a risk to public life or inconvenience to residents, may be liable for prosecution.
Officials reiterated that animal caregivers and occasional feeders must ensure feeding only at the designated places and must avoid littering. “Cleanliness is the feeder’s responsibility,” said an MC representative, explaining that disorderly feeding could attract penalties and violation notices.
The civic body will publish a detailed notification in the coming days outlining the locations and the public feedback mechanism, officials confirmed.
Under the Pet and Community Dog Bye-Laws, 2025, the MC treats unauthorised feeding as a form of public littering, and repeat violations can trigger legal proceedings. Feeding stray dogs outside approved spots may lead to penalties totalling ₹10,000, including a ₹500 primary fine and ₹9,500 in administrative charges, an official stated.
